Saturday 19 May 2018

Happy 9th Birthday Allsorts



Morning Peeps, this week at Allsorts we are celebrating our 9th Birthday!! There are 9 prizes, one for each year so you absolutely have to join in this week.

Our meal at Midsummer House was fabulous and everything it promised to be. We decided on the Tasting Menu which comprised of eight courses but was actually twelve if you add the amuse bouche, palate cleansers which were delicious sorbets and handmade chocolates and sweetmeats to finish. But we resisted the Dom Perignon at £1,700 a bottle...................yes honestly and that was just a standard 70cl size..............do people actually pay that for a bottle of wine do you think ?

But earlier in the day turned into a bit of a fiasco, they called last minute to cancel the CT scan and then called back and asked me to go the next day for a DEXA scan which I've been waiting weeks for, but no way can they do the CT one until after our holiday. I despair of the NHS at times, I'm sure they think people get to a certain age and have all the time in the world to drop everything and jump when they want to change things.

So onto my card and this is one of two very similar ones I made a few weeks ago using some new Lavinia animal stamps, this one is for one of our son's who has a special Birthday coming up at the end of the month.

The shaped card is a really easy one to make using a sheet of A3 card, I made another this shape a couple of weeks ago which I explained here should you want to make one.

I used Distress Oxides to colour the stamping pieces, flicked with water to add some interest, sponged a sun, stamped everything with Versafine black and used a piece of torn paper and the same colour inks to ground the animals.

I am hoping my son likes this, he's an athlete and along with our DIL travels the world running, as I write this scheduled post he is in La Palma doing the 'Transvulcania Vertical' race, 7.7 kilometers literally as it says, vertically up the cliffs. So I thought the Visible Image sentiment 'Go where your dreams take you' was perfect for him along with the Nature theme as he is also a professional photographer and keen on landscapes, skies and rural scenery. I always find creating cards for him a tad challenging, but am fairly pleased with how this one turned out and as my blog is the very last place he visits I know I am pretty safe blogging it.


And a second card which is created with PM stamps, this one uses my current "most favourite" PB stamp 'Spontaneous Joy', I stamped the whole image once using Distress Pens direct to stamp and spritzed with water, cleaned the stamp and then stamped just one of the flowers to extend the panel. Next I masked the edges and applied DI in the same colour, added some stenciled harlequins and finally a sentiment.

Lastly and a day late thanks to faffing about with hospital appointments, by Stamping Sensations and Penny Black mid month shares.


Using Penny Black 30-419 Happy Wishes and 40-491 Garden Gems from the new In Bloom collection available in the UK from Crafts U Love


Using Penny Black 30-419 Happy Wishes and 40-602 also from the new In Bloom collection.


Both the above notelet set and card below are some of my unused samples from a Chocolate  Baroque programme a few months ago.


I really hope you will come and join in the Allsorts fun this week.

42 comments:

ellyscard creatief said...

Big congratulations on 9 years Allsorts. You have made so many beautiful cards.

Crafting Queen said...

Sorry about your scan, hope they sort it out soon. Wow, your lunch sounds great. I LOVE that first card, the colours are just perfect. The other cards are great as well. Have a lovely day. Hugs Anesha

Mervi said...

Wonderful creations! Love the first card, it's amazingly beautiful!
Congrats and thank you for all you do for Allsorts Challenge ( and many more).
Sending sunny greetings;-))m

Craftyfield said...

Only the most discerning and experienced drinkers would even know the difference between a £30 and a £1700 bottle anyway but there are indeed billionaires who wouldn't blink at the price tag and order just for the prestige of it. More money than sense...
Fabulous Penny Black brushstrokes cards, you are seriously putting temptation my way with those! Your Lavinia card is superb too, it will be a hit with your son, and I love the elegant and CAS look of the CB makes! Enjoy your weekend. xx

Carole Pollard said...

just amazing as always I adore that first card what a stunning colour and shape. hope they get your CT scan sorted very soon its worrying the pressure the NHS is under at present Enjoy the royal wedding and the weekend Love and hugs Carole x

Babs said...

Hi Brenda
Each and everyone is just stunning, beautiful choice of stamps and colours, sounds like you had a fantastic time, I would have missed the bottle of wine too Brenda just think how much crafting goodies you can but with that amount of money. Lol
Hugs Babs x

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow stunning and gorgeous cards Brenda.

Congratulations 9 years.

gr karin

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Firstly Congratulations to Allsorts on their 9th Birthday. You collection of cards today are amazing Brenda, I love the top one for your son and also the wonderful set using the CB stamps. Sounds like you had a fantastic meal, shame they didn't throw in the Champagne for you to try too.

Sue xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

So glad your launch was been so good, Brenda! Sorry instead for the delay of your CT scan... Always hospitals have the power to make good and bad days for people :(
Happy Blogaversary to Allsorts, how many years! Thanks for all the fabulous challenges! Hope to find time to play in this.
Your card for your son is a delight, love the shape, really simple to do but so effective, and the way you created the natural scene with all the Lavinia animals!! Congrats and Happy Birthday to your son, he is a very special person!!
Love so much the feminine look of the second card and the stamp with water always stunning me. I have had a try with this technique, but with a not too much beautiful result. Also the others your two floral cards are lovely!
Love very much the CB samples, they look so elegant and sweet with the neutral colors and the clean design!!

Daniela said...

Amazing projects,dear Brenda!
x Daniela

Marianne said...

Such a wonderful selection of delightful cards, Brenda. Your son's birthday card turned out great, and I'm sure he'll like it. Happy to hear your lunch was a success. I bet it took all of your strength not to buy a bottle of wine at £1,700.
The NHS does sound like a nightmare. Makes us really grateful for the clinic here in Heraklion where you can have a CT scan within a week. And even though it's a private clinic, it's fairly cheap too compared to the price of a bottle of Dom Perignon.
Marianne x

Viv said...

Oh Oh Oh. Fantastic as always - I really must come and rummage through your stash with a big coat with big pockets! Loving each of these B.x
I am desperate to try that shaped card but doubt if I can think of a good design to stamp on it...
Intending to escape outside today cos quite frankly I am sick to death of this royal wedding!Let them be married, happy and be done with it!

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Brenda, what marvellous card, you really are a talented lady. The first one is amazing, must have a look at how to do. But really all are so beautiful, I especially love the little notelets and their box, always makes such a lovely gift.
As for champagne yes some folk do spend that much, we have a friend who does, but he is a millionaire. One time we were out with him for dinner and he ordered a very expensive wine, poor Alistair was in a state in case he was expected to buy the next bottle, so I made it clear that it would be Irn Bru or water when it was our turn Lol. Pretentious nonsense me thinks.
Sorry about your scan, it does seem so unfair when you're all geared up for it, I was getting in a stooshie about the NHS last week too, but then I though about how Trump is trying to medicines more expensive, therefore boosting up privatisation, so I shut up.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend, Kate x

Lynne said...

Your cards are all so wonderful Brenda, I especially like the first two. Your son's card and sentiment sound perfect for him. There must be some people out there who buy champagne at that price, but I certainly don't know any of them! :)

Have a good weekend x

Sarah said...

Another incredible selection Brenda, your Son's card is my absolute favourite followed by the pretty direct to stamp florals. What rotten luck about your CT scan, I bet the radiographer is on Annual Leave!! Your meal sounded wonderful and as for the price of the chambers??? I could get quite a nice two year old for that!! xx

Leanne Harris said...

Wow, Happy Birthday Allsorts! A lovely collection of cards here Brenda, love the florals and those notelets are really lovely too xxxx

Marianne's Craftroom said...

Fabulous collection once again, loving that pB stamp and the top card is wnderful.

Anonymous said...

your meal sounds yummy, brenda, i'd have to skip the wine because of my meds anyway. :) i love your birthday card for your son and would love to see how you did the back of the front panels on these fancy fold cards. i love the soft stencilling on the others; they are all so elegant.

Fikreta said...

those are so great cards
hugs

Kathleen said...

A totally wonderful array of fabulous creations.
Glad you enjoyed your meal, sounds really good surely no-one in their right mind would pay that price.
The money the NHS wastes on postage alone is unbelievable every time he gets a letter from them, he gets two, of the self same letter.

Kath x

Fliss said...

Really beautiful cards Brenda and love them all. Really sorry to hear about your NHS issues and hope you don't have to wait too long for the CT scan.
Fliss xx

Liz said...

Hope your CT scan is sorted out soon, Brenda. Your meal sounds amazing, but I'm not surprised that you passed on that particular bottle of wine!

Gorgeous cards, I love them all, but the first one is just amazing! xx

crafty-stamper said...

WOW you make such stunning cards Brenda they are all absolutely brilliant -sorry to hear about your scan-and can't believe how you resisted the wine !!!TBH I was once bought an expensive bottle of wine(not that much though!!!) and hated it -would not pay that much even if I could afford it
Carol x

Mummylade said...

So many stunning projects today. I'm sure your son will love the card, I hope he does well in the race. Sorry to hear about the CT scan, I know how you wanted to get it done before your holidays.

Ellibelle said...

Such an amazing assortment of cards Brenda, I am sure your son will love that fancy fold card with the fabulous wild life and fitting sentiment. Your floral cards are just as beautiful with the pretty colors and backgrounds.
Glad you had a fabulous meal...makes you wonder how much different that expensive wine tastes, something I shall never know :-)

Ellibelle said...

Forgot to say Congrats on 9 years of Allsorts Challenges and thank you so much for allowing me to be part of the team!!

ALI said...

Gorgeous creations Brenda, glad you enjoyed your meal x

Mia said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards, Brenda. The first one is my favorite! I love the beautiful shape and the great images. Kisses, my friend.

Gerrina said...

Love the watercolour flower cards! The treeset is such a beautiful gift and the butterfly is one of my favorites, but the absdolute favorite one is your first! Like the shape, great colours and it looks like it wants to tell a story! Enjoy the nice weather! Hugs, Gerrina

aussie aNNie said...

Back from my holidays and catching up with my comments.
A beautiful display of cards and gorgeous colours...stunning design.xx
[aussie aNNie blog]

Rainey's Craft Room said...

A wonderful collection of designs and creative ideas Brenda, always a treat to visit and see what you have been doing. Your son's card at the top looks fabulous, I love the warm colours against the black silhouettes.
Lorraine

Marlies said...

Glad you enjoyed your lunch, sounds very nice indeed. A lovely card for your son and the others are fantastic too! Great inspiration. Marlies x

Shylaashree said...

9 years is a great milestone to celebrate brenda, my best wishes to Allsort team,your son will certainly love this fancy fold card, you always exhibit a great passion towards card making. love your unique style

Caro´s kreative Welt said...

WOW, the card are all great. I especially like the first card.... very wonderful.
Big congratulations on 9 years Allsorts.
Hugs Carola

Linby said...

So much loveliness here - the intensity of the inks on the first one are just fab. Loving the flowers and the Chocolate baroque set but the last one with the butterfly is just magical.

congrats on 9 years at Allsorts.

Greta said...

Sounds like you had a great time! So sorry about the mess up with the appointments. Your cards are so beautiful! You made magic with all those florals!

Pat said...

All such beautiful cards Brenda, but I absolutely love the first one with all the gorgeous animal stamps on it so different. So sorry about your scan being cancelled, hope it's not too long before you get it sorted.

Pat xx

SusanLotus said...

So many wonderful creations!
And the dinner you had make me feel a little envious. ;D
In a god way... Sounded so tasty!

Hope you feel alright and maybe UK is hot too now in may?
Hugs
Sussie

Tracy Welham said...

These are wonderful! I'm sure your son will love the card, what amazing time he must be having! Also love the watercolour style cards look fantastic. Creative Blessings, Tracy x

Mrs A. said...

Another great assortment of cards. I particularly like the first nature card and the box of notelets. Such a great gift idea. Good luck with your Hosiptal appointments. Hugs Mrs A.

KandA said...

Hi Brenda, well I'm finaaly here to catch up with all your stunning makes and I do love the first card with the gorgeous colouring and those fabulous animals.
Sorry to hear you're having to wait on the CT scan but glad you had the DEXA scan done. I hope you have a great holiday - but hopefully not having to splash out on £1700 bottles of wine! Take care xx

Tracy said...

Such beautiful pieces, I love your notelet set Brenda.
Happy crafting
Tracy x